ITINERARY & SIGHTSEEING
DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN PALERMO, ITALY
Welcome to Palermo!
Welcome to Palermo! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for
a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Meals (Dinner)
DAY 2 - PALERMO
Sicilian Specialties
PALERMO: Guided sightseeing includes the
Church of Immacolata, and a visit to the cathedral. Drive
up to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro and
visit the Norman Cathedral.
The story of the splendid Monreale cathedral starts when the Arabs took
control of Palermo. They transformed the cathedral into a mosque and banished
the Bishop of Palermo from town. Not wishing to venture too far from his beloved
cathedral, the Bishop settled in a small village in the hills overlooking
Palermo, the site of modern-day Monreale. There, he built a modest church to
keep the flame of local Christian worship alive. Today the cathedral is known
for its stunning mosaics that cover an area of over 64.500sq ft.
Meals (Breakfast)
DAY 3 - PALERMO–AGRIGENTO
Timeless Temples
AGRIGENTO: Take a guided walking tour of
the Valley of Temples.
87 mi / 140 km
ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGY - The ruins of Akragas
remain Sicily’s most amazing archaeological site. The impressively
well-preserved Tempio della Concordia sits in spectacular
setting upon a ridge where it served as a beacon for homecoming
sailors and today draws enthralled visitors to revel in the
remarkable Valley of the Temples.
Meals (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 4 - AGRIGENTO–PIAZZA ARMERINA–SYRACUSE
Ancient Artistry In Sicily
PIAZZA ARMERINA: Take a guided visit of
the Villa Romana del Casale with the largest and most complex
collection of Roman mosaics in the world. Enjoy lunch with
regional specialties at a local restaurant.
162 mi / 260 km
ART & ARCHITECTURE - Explore the extraordinary
example of Roman power in one of the most luxurious villas
of its kind in the Italian countryside. Marvel at the magnificently
preserved mosaics that embellish the Villa Romana del Casale,
designed and installed by African mosaic workers and the strength
of the Roman influence and power throughout the Mediterranean
region.
Meals (Breakfast, Lunch)
DAY 5 - SYRACUSE–CATANIA–TAORMINA RIVIERA
Coastal Treasures
SYRACUSE: Guided visit to the Greek and
Roman ruins of the Archaeological Park features the Greek
Theatre and the Roman Amphitheater.
CATANIA: Enjoy free time on the way to Taormina
Riviera.
75 mi / 120 km
LOCAL TASTES - Sicily’s love affair with
food goes back a long way. Cooking traditions originating
from the Greeks, Arabs, and Normans blend with those from
Spain and North Africa resulting in a fabulous melting pot
of flavors and unique dishes. Celebrate this feast of cultures
with a traditional arancino tasting one of Sicily’s most famous
street food.
Meals (Breakfast)
DAY 6 - TAORMINA RIVIERA
The Pearl of the Mediterranean
TAORMINA RIVIERA: Guided excursion to Mount
Etna. Orientation walk through Taormina town and free time.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
NATURAL WONDER - Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest
volcano and one of the most active in the world. Learn how
in 1669, an eruption that lasted 112 days developed a record
long stream of lava that destroyed the city of Catania.
Meals (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 7 - CATANIA-LA VALLETTA, MALTA–ST. JULIAN
Gardens and a Grand Harbor
CATANIA: Fly to La Valletta airport.
LA VALLETTA: Orientation walk includes the
Barakka Gardens.
HISTORIC SPOT - Welcome to the marvelous
sights of Malta with an overnight stay in St. Julian. Named
for the patron Saint that bears his name, this seaside town
is rich with history and lovely views of the rocky stretch
along the promenade.
Meals (Breakfast)
DAY 8 - ST. JULIAN
Home of Giants
ST. JULIAN: Free day to explore the city.
EXPLORE MORE - With a visit to the little
island of Gozo, home to the oldest freestanding structures
in the world: the 5,500-year-old complex of the Ggantija Temples.
Locals claim the site was built by giants, hence the name
“Ggantija.”
Meals (Breakfast)
DAY 9 - ST. JULIAN: EXCURSION TO RABAT-MOSTA & MDINA
Catacombs & Silent Cities
RABAT: Stop in the city famous for its catacombs
MOSTA: Take pictures of the stunning Roman
Catholic church with a unique
architectural history.
MDINA: Walk through the "Silent City" and
take in views of the ancient walls.
Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
CULTURAL GEM - When the capital city was
moved out of Mdina, the city was left uninhabited so people
started to consider it a ghost town and the "silent city"
nickname was born. This name is still fitting today as there
are many signs around the city urging to be silent and no
cars are allowed in the city.
Meals (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 10 - ST. JULIAN
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Meals (Breakfast)
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